Policy Manager

Job Description: Policy Manager

Salary: £35,000-50,000 pa

Role Type: Permanent – Full Time

Location: Trafalgar Square, London

The Company

Rail Partners exists to make the railway better, by harnessing the expertise and commercial drive of the private sector. It does this for the benefit of those who use it, our customers, and those who pay for it, including taxpayers, strengthening the economy, and supporting net zero ambitions.

Rail Partners plays a key role in representing its members interests (Owning Groups, Train Operating Companies and Freight Operating Companies) in the national debate about the future of the rail industry and its role in supporting the wider economy, environment, and prosperity of the nation as it transitions to the end state as imagined in the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail.

Key accountabilities of the role:

Primary and desk-based research and consultation with members and stakeholders on key issues to develop policy positions that will:

• Demonstrate the value of private sector freight and passenger train operators.
• Influence rail structural and contractual reform, periodic reviews and other regulatory interventions.
• Support for owning groups, freight companies and passenger train operators to deliver better outcomes for customers and taxpayers.
• Undertaking quantitative analysis of rail industry structures and systems
• Drawing on knowledge of the railway commercial environment to contribute to policy development.

Maximising the influence and credibility of Rail Partners Policy positions:

• Undertaking evaluation of complex information, data and viewpoints to develop clear policy propositions.
• Interpreting and judging appropriate actions and conclusions that further Rail Partners credibility as a centre of expertise and support the organisational strategic objectives.
• Demonstrating constructive and analytical thinking capabilities to underpin compelling and timely policy development across a range of policy areas.
• Helping to distil, at times, diverse views, to develop positions and statements which meet organisational objectives, and which are representative of members’ views.
• Working with external affairs colleagues to document and articulate and frame key issues, research findings and members’ views in papers and public interventions aimed at decision makers and key stakeholders.
• Drafting responses to government consultations.
• Supporting external affairs colleagues with the preparation of Senior Management Team members for speaking engagements, meetings and media appearances.

Engaging members and third parties:

• Undertaking regular horizon scanning and sharing intelligence or emerging market opportunities with members.
• Working with colleagues to deliver briefings and regular communications to the member community on key issues or outputs, that are timely, accurate and add value.
• Developing excellent working level relationships with the membership to aid in policy development through regular engagement, policy testing and sharing of insights.
• Building a personal network of relevant working level industry stakeholders including some relationships in DfT, GBRTT, ORR, TfL, Transport Scotland, TfW, regional government, RIA, ROSCOs, RSSB, rail consultants, other trade bodies, etc.

Supporting good governance and Rail Partners networks:

• Preparing papers for relevant governance groups.
• Supporting issue specific task and finish groups.
• Engaging with and working alongside any external suppliers commissioned by the Senior Management Team or one of the Rail Partners Councils to develop policy, provide analysis or undertake research.

Playing your part in making Rail Partners a great place to work:

• Personally, demonstrating the attributes of the organisation’s culture.
• Keeping relevant stakeholder, and member databases up to date to support in correct audience identification for various projects.
• Working collaboratively across Rail Partners on specific projects as required.

Rewards:

• 26 days holiday + bank holidays.
• Defined Contribution Pension – Employee chooses between 3% and 8% of salary, and employer contributions are twice that amount.
• Private medical insurance.
• 75% discount on national rail travel.
• Rail Partners embraces hybrid working.
• Bonus up to 5% – subject to business and individual performance.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 20th May 2022

Candidates with the relevant experience or job titles of: Public Affairs, Policy Manager, Senior Policy Manager, Policy Adviser, Senior Policy Adviser, Local Council Policy Manager, Emergency Services Policy Manager, Non-Profit Programme Manager, Public Sector Programme Management, Cyber Security Policy Director, Information Security Policy Manager, ICT Programme Manager, Technology Programme Manager, Technical Programme Manager, Technology Implementation, Transport Innovation, Logistics consultant may also be considered for this role.